Overcoming the Spirit of Fear | Biblical Application
When we think of fear, we might envision a trembling child holding her hands up to her mouth, wide-eyed and anxiously awaiting what will come. Many of us struggle with this same type of fear—crippling uncertainty of what may happen.
This worry and fear could be about finances, health, relationships, or work. We can spend a great deal of our time, tasks, and activities feeling concerned about what could come.
Did you know that 85% of what people worry about never actually occurs?
Because worry seems more prevalent today than ever before, there has been an increase in research surrounding the mind-consuming and detrimental thoughts that can influence our day.
In a recent study, psychologists found a staggering 85% of these thoughts never come to fruition. And of the 15% that did, nearly 80% of the people reported they were not as difficult to navigate as they had originally thought.
This research can help us gain perspective when it comes to fear. You see, fear comes from punishment and is an exaggeration and misperception of reality. The Holy Spirit helps us identify who it is that exaggerates and misrepresents truth. It is the enemy of our soul.
Satan is not a creator; therefore, he exaggerates, lies about, and presents misperceptions of reality. Once we allow our mind to adopt the lies, it can begin to alter our thoughts. However, the Bible tells us to be transformed by the renewal of our mind, which allows us to become strong and courageous.
Be Transformed by the Renewal of Our Mind | What Does That Look Like?
If we start to live by the ancient Hebraic principles of reaping and sowing, we will begin to experience encouragement, courage, and strength when we sow it into the lives of others.
Put It into Practice…
- You can give someone a call and ask to pray for them. Pray that they will be transformed by the Lord today. Watch to see if the Lord also transforms your perspective.
- You can give an encouraging word that settles a worried mind. Pay attention to see if you find that these words calm your mind too.
- You can start to sow seeds of strength and confidence around you by reminding a brother or sister in Christ that they can do all things through Him. Watch and expect to reap a harvest “according to its kind.”
- You can write down and declare to the Lord His promises over your life, such as…
Father God, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Lord, I bless Your holy name and will not forget Your benefits. You have forgiven all of my iniquities and have healed my diseases. You’ve redeemed me from the pit and crowned me with love and mercy. You’ve renewed me and have worked out righteousness and justice according to your good and abounding love (Psalm 103). Lord, I am covered in the righteous blood of Yeshua and am legally free from any condemnation—past, present, and future (John 3:18). I seal these promises in the name of Yeshua. Write these promises on my heart today and activate them in my life. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.”
Biblical Example of Overcoming the Spirit of Fear | Be Strong and Courageous
Imagine this for a moment… You are under Moses’ direction after crossing on dry ground through the Red Sea. Then you receive instruction directing you and a nation how to honor and follow God—after which you are told that you will prosper under His protection.
This was Joshua’s story. Moses, the nation’s leader, had died. Now, it was all up to Joshua. Then the Lord told him to pick up where Moses had left off—taking a nation across the Jordan River to claim the land that the Lord said was theirs… even though it was inhabited by others who appeared to be bigger and mightier than they.
Joshua said okay, but others are concerned—as the nations currently living there may have missed the memo that it doesn’t belong to them.
What would you do to overcome the spirit of fear rising up within you?
You can begin by filling your mind with God’s promises and instruction. The Lord tells Joshua to “…arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you…”—Joshua 1:2-3
Joshua was faced with a choice. He could question God’s sovereignty and ultimate control over all things, or He could “meditate on the Book of the Law” and every word that comes from the mouth of God.
The Lord does not tell Joshua, “just believe Me. It’ll happen the way I say it will…” and then send him on his way. He equipped Joshua with weapons not of this world. He gave him the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word—His promises—to fight against Satan’s most frequently used arrow… fear.
The Lord Reminded Joshua of His Protection…
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”—Joshua 1:5 (emphasis added)
The Lord Reminded Joshua to Be Continuously Courageous…
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous…”—Joshua 1:6-7 (emphasis added)
The Lord Reminded Joshua to Observe the Law and He Would Be Prosperous…
“…that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:7 (emphasis added)
The Lord Reminded Joshua to Meditate on the Word…
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:8-9 (emphasis added)
Read this last point once more. It is critical. Meditate actually means to murmur, declare, or utter. God’s instruction is that we should constantly be seeking and talking to Him. His truth should never depart from our mouths. Day and night, we need to remind ourselves and tell Him we remember what He has said—and that it will be so.
To Overcome the Spirit of Fear
To overcome the spirit of fear, we must:
- Renew our minds
- Sow what we want to reap
- Continuously decree and declare God’s instruction and His promises
If you find yourself battling the spirit of fear, these three guidelines are places where you can start untangling the lies from the truth. Write down God’s instructions and words from the verses listed above or ask Him to reveal others that speak directly to your circumstance. “Murmur” them all day long. Rest in them and you will overcome the spirit of fear.
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